Chief Gideon Powledge

1924 - 1927

The
lack of documentation for the period in which Gideon Powledge
served as a member of the Clearwater Police Department results
in little available information regarding his career.

It is believed that he was appointed Chief of Police on November
15, 1924, upon the resignation of Chief Joe Russell. City Commission meeting minutes in late 1924
indicate that City Commissioner Wallace moved that Powledge
be appointed Chief of Police for the year 1925 at a salary
of $1,800 per year. The
minutes also reflect that on February 9, 1925, Chief Powledge
asked the city to provide a city jail and police headquarters;
the Commission agreed to research the matter.

It is believed that the police department was located within City
Hall at 325 S. Fort Harrison Avenue at this time. Minutes of the January 4, 1926 City Commission
meeting show an increase in salary granted to Chief Powledge to $200
per month.

On January 21, 1927, according to the minutes of the City Commission meeting, Joe Russell was re-appointed Chief of Police when Chief Powledge left to become the Assistant Chief for the Tallahassee Police Department where he eventually served as Chief of Police until his retirement.